The Republic of Congo has opened discussions with European partners on a potential debt-for-nature swap aimed at easing the country’s debt burden while advancing environmental conservation efforts.
Speaking from Belem, Brazil, where he is attending the ongoing COP30 Climate Conference, Congo’s Minister of Finance, Christian Yoka said the initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to align fiscal management with environmental sustainability.
According to Yoka, “the government is engaging with development and financial partners capable of providing credit enhancements to support the arrangement.”
However, he noted that the potential size and structure of the swap are still being determined.
The Minister explained that the debt-for-nature swap concept “resonates clearly” with Congo’s environmental priorities, given that the Congo Basin, which spans six Central African countries, hosts the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, serving as a vital carbon sink for the planet.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging sustainable finance tools to protect the country’s natural resources while addressing economic challenges.
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Reuters/Additional Report/ Oyenike Oyeniyi